Commit graph

1452 commits

Author SHA1 Message Date
Valentin Gagarin f632816cba add explanation and examples of file system objects 2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 84ddfbf8fd remove diagonal from operations diagram 2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 93f721b0d2 remove draft on derivations 2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 19d8a5d839 move first mention of file system object before diagram 2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin a90fc62b61 make clear that file system is for processes
Co-authored-by: John Ericson <John.Ericson@Obsidian.Systems>
2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 7993ba1f38 constrain garbage collection scope
garbage collection is now incremental, and may (in theory) never delete all unreferenced objects if it is slow enough.
2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 195aa28ff7 references are added according to build task
at this level of abstraction we do not really care about build instructions or what they are, and also build instructions including their arguments really amount to the build task.
2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 80de4a4804 operations diagram: store' to the right
this also looks more diverse, hopefully easier to distinguish

Co-authored-by: John Ericson <John.Ericson@Obsidian.Systems>
2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 3794618cce add commas between output values 2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 7b7e4c6340 use singular to match section heading 2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin e63a768e21 use reference links for URLs 2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 843288a451 add subsections for objects and references
group description of data instead of spreading it across the section.

that should help direct skimming. as it turns out, people do not
actually read any of that.
2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 4341849193 move closure property to discussion references 2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 445f753a82 replace pseudo code by diagrams
change prose description to visually resemble the data structure
2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin db8703bcac use reference links for URLs 2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 4adb6602bd clarify first sentence on store objects 2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 4eb11d4592 fix grammar for clarity 2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin b84f2bdfdd introduce mapping to Unix files and processes 2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 207992a71d introduce store and store objects without file system details
this leaves open implementation details, especially about store paths
and file system objects, and allows explaining them together were it is
more appropriate. also leaves room to carefully introduce the key
insight behind Nix: applying results from programming language theory to
the operating system paradigm of files and processes.
2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin e72a7874dc beautify rosetta table
while this may eventually introduce ugly diffs, the table will now
render readably on the terminal (e.g. for `man nix` or `nix --help`)
without further intervention.
2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin b6b112b366 use reference links for URLs 2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin d5eea66615 introduce build tasks
while it appears a bit much for the overview, this way we set the stage
for going directly into data types when describing the store, instead of
first having to say what build tasks are and how they relate to build
plans.
2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 7c3bca1372 revert to build plans in top-level overview
do not introduce build tasks yet, that is the next level of detail.
2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 4639b36b53 use reference links for URLs 2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 2303f84a68 revert to "build plan" in overview diagram
this displays correct composition again. build inputs and build results
are not part of build plans in terms of data objects.

also this is a much less complicated setup. this will be the first
impression of architecture, and we want to get it right.
2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 25926c5fc6 Nix store does not underly literally everything
Co-authored-by: Robert Hensing <roberth@users.noreply.github.com>
2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 0e63b9bf88 add link from overview to store section
the overview should only link to the three main concepts presented. the
store is now fairly fleshed out. others can follow later.
2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin ef81276cc1 architecture overview: add link to command line reference 2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 68d26010f6 architecture overview: add link to Nix expression language reference
update summary title to match file contents
2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 75ce324052 use singular for class names consistently 2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 689b32a543 clarify relation of tasks and plans 2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 2a8532fb61 build rule -> build task
closer to "build systems a la carte", satisfies all other complaints
2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 902638c519 build step -> build rule
"step" sounds atomic, while "rule" hints at internal structure, which in
our case consists of mapping inputs to outputs using build instructions.
2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 87523f01e3 match grammatical case to arrow direction 2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin d3effd014b update architecture diagram 2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin ad8c2ed7f0 remove incomplete section: input/content-addressing 2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 3bd125ebbe remove incomplete section: nix archives 2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin b18852eb3f remove incomplete section: content-addressed objects 2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 7cec9ee361 remove incomplete section: relocatability 2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 96876b1eae remove incomplete section: related work 2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 1ba6d8fb1d remove incomplete section: building 2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
John Ericson 3d8f2f5cc1 Fix manual TOC links 2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
John Ericson b01bb65d30 Fix rel path in doc 2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin b5ca3d12b6 reword details on keeping closure property 2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin e90586c0a4 add motivation for references 2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 07d490fd89 stores can also delete objects 2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 5fda995491 formalize file system objects
convention: describe every data type in prose, and illustrate with
a class diagram, and a textual representation of an abstract
data type.

right now we save ourselves the trouble of doing class diagrams, we can
add them later. but they are important.
2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin fb2ec7e4ec reword section on references
use file Contents instead of Data, as that flows more naturally in the
prose.

simplify explanation of the idea behind scanning for store paths

remove references to unfinished sections.
2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 90fc5b41a8 reword file system objects
- use singular for the "class"
- more consistency in type definition
- minor fixes in wording
2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin e5e48593c8 move git comparison to related work
it should be pulled out of the branch before we go for merging
2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin a145007a57 component -> store object, realisation -> build 2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 40efe5b30b build instrcution: Task -> function 2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin ca5ebf6382 revert build plan/step distinction, reorder rows 2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 610ddf44aa reword introduction to rosetta stone, add links
attempt to explain used and documented terminology, as well as how
the declarative programming paradigm relates to building software.

in the future one could highlight encouraged terms to shape future
material into higher consistency.
2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 5f96a0b4e8 associated operations are not collected
Co-authored-by: John Ericson <git@JohnEricson.me>
2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 070c85499b fix grammar
Co-authored-by: John Ericson <git@JohnEricson.me>
2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 7b5c00f67f add concrete store examples, reword note on file system 2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin c8c1b705ad reword section on Nix store 2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 39f01176a7 design -> architecture, add motivation
following ideas found in Architecture of Gazelle[1]

[1]: 56d35f8db0/Design.rst
2022-08-04 12:37:47 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin d30033759a address Nix language consistently as configuration language 2022-08-04 12:37:46 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 7598126391 remove separate meta-section, add architecture diagram
the diagram is a first approximation and only covers that same section.
of course there is much more going on, and other features should at some
point also be illustrated.

we also have to think about presentation format and technicalities
behind it. the manual has to render to `man`, but we may want something
more refined for web view.
2022-08-04 12:37:46 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 34ea74c9ec reword introductory section
there should be a meta section for each chapter to give motivation of
the presented structure. the structure itself is visible from the table
of contents.
2022-08-04 12:37:46 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin b387d80943 remove sentence for chapter transition
idea: sections could be read in different orders by linking them in
different ways (e.g. depth-first or breadth-first). adding hard-coded
transitions makes that confusing.
2022-08-04 12:37:46 +02:00
John Ericson 89a7c956ff Apply suggestions from code review
Co-authored-by: Valentin Gagarin <valentin@fricklerhandwerk.de>
2022-08-04 12:37:46 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 51e6bed25e do not mention implementation details
Co-authored-by: John Ericson <git@JohnEricson.me>
2022-08-04 12:37:46 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 23ee0b24f7 correctly use comma for nesting
Co-authored-by: John Ericson <git@JohnEricson.me>
2022-08-04 12:37:46 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 804e8bd747 indicate sequence with "then"
Co-authored-by: John Ericson <git@JohnEricson.me>
2022-08-04 12:37:46 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 327ccd3b07 only use generic build system terminology
we will use a translation table to introduce nix-specific terms
2022-08-04 12:37:46 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 0eae4bfad1 reword overview with clear terminology
trying to capture alternative terms in one go here, mirroring everyday
use:

derivation - build plan
realise - execute build

there will be more of that sort.
2022-08-04 12:37:46 +02:00
John Ericson 0737094161 Add draft "Rosetta stone" by @fricklerhandwerk and stub commentary
The idea and most of the execution are @fricklerhandwerk's. I changed a
few things best I could based on @edolstra's corrections, and a Bazel
glossary.

Valentin Gagarin <valentin@fricklerhandwerk.de>
2022-08-04 12:37:46 +02:00
John Ericson c86c1ec7e3 Make refernces sneak preview more concise 2022-08-04 12:37:46 +02:00
John Ericson 4e4bbd9e83 Improve store objects session more 2022-08-04 12:37:46 +02:00
John Ericson e4eea5e84e Include abstract syntax based on the thesis for FSOs
See https://edolstra.github.io/pubs/phd-thesis.pdf, page 91.
2022-08-04 12:37:46 +02:00
John Ericson b98dc3b19c store objects, better opining sentances 2022-08-04 12:37:46 +02:00
John Ericson 55b437b551 Improve store path section 2022-08-04 12:37:46 +02:00
John Ericson b4df351880 Relocability -> relocation in store object title 2022-08-04 12:37:46 +02:00
John Ericson 5f4d2ac091 Improve store object section
In particular, Nix is *not* like Git, so that needs to be fixed.
2022-08-04 12:37:46 +02:00
John Ericson 1bbad62c7d doc: File system data -> file system object, to match Nix 2022-08-04 12:37:46 +02:00
John Ericson 838ba26fda Rename files after store entry -> store object rename 2022-08-04 12:37:46 +02:00
John Ericson 4e2d5ae202 doc: Store entry -> store object
This matches the terminology in Eelco's thesis.
2022-08-04 12:37:46 +02:00
John Ericson e308602fdf Update doc/manual/src/design/store/drvs/drvs.md
Co-authored-by: Matthieu Coudron <teto@users.noreply.github.com>
2022-08-04 12:37:46 +02:00
John Ericson cdb0bf3b65 Update doc/manual/src/design/overview.md
Co-authored-by: Valentin Gagarin <valentin@fricklerhandwerk.de>
2022-08-04 12:37:46 +02:00
John Ericson 75c5191a1f Update doc/manual/src/design/overview.md
Co-authored-by: Valentin Gagarin <valentin@fricklerhandwerk.de>
2022-08-04 12:37:46 +02:00
John Ericson a04340f9a1 Update doc/manual/src/design/overview.md
Co-authored-by: Valentin Gagarin <valentin@fricklerhandwerk.de>
2022-08-04 12:37:46 +02:00
John Ericson f5386d7059 Fix stub file's name 2022-08-04 12:37:46 +02:00
John Ericson 678d75baea Start on the derivations section 2022-08-04 12:37:46 +02:00
John Ericson e3a0209a9e Move the bits on relocating store entires to the end
They are too advanced for up front.
2022-08-04 12:37:46 +02:00
John Ericson a210504bc7 Apply suggestions from code review 2022-08-04 12:37:46 +02:00
John Ericson e64633f98f Flesh out TOC 2022-08-04 12:37:46 +02:00
John Ericson a2b3160f28 Briefly describe the digest of a store path 2022-08-04 12:37:46 +02:00
John Ericson 523359d133 WIP: Document the design of Nix
The current docs are all "how to do things" and no "what is Nix" or "why
are things the way they are".

I see lots of misconception on the wider internet, and I also think we
would benefit from a "living document" to answer some questions people
currently turn to the thesis for.

I think a new section of the manual can address all these issues.
2022-08-04 12:37:46 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 499ed26508 manual: remove "Writing Nix Expressions" chapter
it is out of date, all over the place in level of detail, is really
about `nixpkgs`, and in general instructions should not be part of
a reference manual.

also:
- update redirects and internal links
- use "Nix language" consistently
2022-08-04 11:59:25 +02:00
Théophane Hufschmitt 7d1ccd9105
Merge pull request from fricklerhandwerk/values
manual: use subheadings for primitive types
2022-08-03 14:50:41 +02:00
Théophane Hufschmitt c55bea4204 Fix the html id of the list headers 2022-08-03 14:16:00 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin ceed4d4142 encode primitive as list with anchors
to make it consistent with builtins and configuration options
2022-08-03 11:25:41 +02:00
Ilya K f675ba5331
doc/distributed-builds: don't use deprecated alias
`nix ping-store` -> `nix store ping`.
2022-08-01 13:50:35 +03:00
Valentin Gagarin 27138f1ec6
manual: use singular in body, too
Co-authored-by: Cole Helbling <cole.e.helbling@outlook.com>
2022-07-28 23:30:07 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 41a3b315fd manual: values -> data types 2022-07-28 17:25:25 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 8f4fab8fab manual: use singular for headings 2022-07-28 17:25:18 +02:00
Valentin Gagarin 4ff48854b8 manual: simple values -> primitives
"simple" is a loaded term
2022-07-28 17:23:57 +02:00